Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corporation received approval from the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the proposed Jordan Cove LNG terminal and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline.
Jordan Cove is the first-ever U.S. West Coast natural gas export facility to be approved by FERC, the company said in its statement.
Pembina acquired Jordan Cove in late 2017 and has since been working toward obtaining extensive local, state and federal regulatory approvals.
The project includes a 229-mile pipeline, that would traverse four counties in Southern Oregon, and an LNG export terminal in Coos Bay, Oregon.
Natural gas for Jordan Cove would be sourced at the Malin Hub, creating a new outlet for natural gas from areas such as the Rockies Basin.
The 36-inch-diameter pipeline will be capable of transporting up to 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day in order to feed the 7.8 mtpa liquefaction facility.
The affirmative decision from the FERC represents the most significant step forward for Jordan Cove since Pembina acquired the project, the statement reads.
This decision is one of many significant steps forward for Jordan Cove in recent months, Pembina said in its statement.
In addition to this federal approval, Jordan Cove recently received approval on all 14 local jurisdiction county and city applications and permits.
Also, the company has signed voluntary easement agreements that constitute 77 percent of the privately-owned portion of the proposed pipeline route, which will allow the pipeline to cross beneath these properties.
The project is supported by agreements with Japan’s Itochu Corporation (1.5 mtpa) and JERA (3 mtpa) signed in 2016. Early last year it was reported that the project signed non-binding deals for 11 million tons of LNG per year, well over its planned production capacity.